‘Political revenge,’ whitewater surfing and a new jail: What to know about Anoka County’s lawsuit against House DFL leader

House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson speaks during a news conference at the Minnesota State Capitol on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. Credit: Ellen Schmidt/MinnPost/CatchLight Local/Report for America According to court documents filed Wednesday, Anoka County is accusing Minnesota House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson of using the legislative process to retaliate against the county over a long-running dispute about its proposed new jail in downtown Anoka, the Star Tribune reported Thursday. The lawsuit centers on legislation introduced by Stephenson that the county says was “political revenge.” The measure would redirect $6.2 million in transportation sales tax funding from the county to the city of Anoka for construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Rum River to bring whitewater surfing downtown. The dispute intensified after court filings revealed text messages between Stephenson and Anoka Mayor Erik Skogquist. In one message to Skogquist, Stephenson referred to the diverted county transportation funds, writing, “I consider it revenge for the jail fuckery,” according to the Star Tribune. A spokesperson for the DFL leader called the lawsuit “meritless,” adding that Stephenson will continue to advocate for his constituents and “will not be deterred by political threats from the county.” _______ Former state Sen. Justin Eichorn, who was arrested last year in an underage prostitution sting and charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to attempted possession of child pornography, WCCO-TV reported. The Grand Rapids Republican had signaled earlier this week that he intended to change his plea from not guilty. According to the plea agreement, Eichorn now faces 15 to 21 months in prison and is awaiting sentencing while in custody at the Sherburne County Jail. _______ New statewide standards and benchmarks for health education are set to phase in for all public K-12 schools over the next three years, MPR News reported Thursday. The new standards, which have faced close scrutiny and are now under judicial review, include guidance on nutrition, consent, media literacy, puberty and preventing sexual abuse. “We need our young people to know these things,” Steve Chapin, a teacher in the St. James school district who spent months working with other teachers, students and experts to draft the standards, told MPR News. Yia Vang, chef and owner of Vinai in northeast Minneapolis is part of a new HBO documentary, “The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas,” KARE 11 reported Thursday. The documentary explores AAPI identity in America through the stories of 15 people and features other recognizable figures including Sandra Oh, Kumail Nanjiani and Sen. Tammy Duckworth. It premiered May 13 and is available to stream. _______ The Tri-County Humane Society in St. Cloud is hosting several low-cost microchip clinics beginning May 19 through Sept. 26, KNSI reported Thursday. A microchip is the only form of permanent identification for pets and can help reunite lost pets with their owners.